Work stations of knock-down modular components

ABSTRACT

A pair of identical side panels are arranged in spaced relationship with a cross panel to form the vertical support for a work surface which is disposed on top of the cross panel and between the side panels to provide a basic work station in the form of a desk. These components: are pre-finished; can be stored and shipped knock-down (k-d); and are secured directly to each other with simple tools to provide the completed and assembled work station. Additional full or half-size side panels can be added to the basic desk to form vertical supports for additional work surfaces, to provide other work stations such as a desk and secretarial run-off combined, and/or a desk, run-off, and return combined. Individual drawers and/or open, shelved, door or drawer cabinets can thereafter be secured beneath the work surfaces and between the side panels of the return, run-off, and/or desk to provide the desired form of storage space, which can include, conventional type desk pedestals. Such drawers or cabinets are securable beneath the work surface and between the side panels for access from either the rear of the desk (the side where the user usually sits and works from), or the front of the desk (the side opposite the side where the user usually sits and works). The side panels, work surfaces, cabinets, and drawers are also secured together into a top unit which is set upon a desk, run-off, or return to provide yet other configurations of work stations.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 049,721 filed June 18,1979, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 885,351 filed Mar.13, 1978.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--FIELD OF APPLICATION

This invention relates to work stations: and more particularly to workstations in the form of desks; desks combined with run-offs, run-offsand returns, or top units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

There is considerable choice available in todays office furnituremarket. Not only in chairs and file cabinets; but in the office unit atwhich the user performs his job--the work station itself. The workstation may have many configurations. It may be merely a desk; or it maybe a desk and run-off (i.e. a unit extending at right angles to the deskat one side thereof); a desk, run-off and return (i.e. a unit extendingat right angles to the run-off at one side thereof so as to be parallelto the desk); or a desk with top unit stacked on top of the desk. Nomatter what, the dealer is faced with the problem of offering to thepublic not only a wide variety of styles but also a wide selection ofconfigurations within each style.

Displaying the various styles and some of the configurations presentssomewhat of a space problem but can be solved by the use of goodcatalogues. It is not necessary to show the potential buyer eachconfiguration of each style. It is, however, necessary to be able toprovide the potential buyer with rapid availability of the style andconfigurations required to furnish the office. With the great number ofdealers and suppliers in the marketplace the average purchaser knowsthat they are in a good bargaining position and therefore usuallyinsists upon substantially immediate delivery. If not they take theirbusiness elsewhere.

The dealer who can stock the widest variety of work station styles andconfigurations may then have an advantage; and the supplier who assistsin that endeavor can anticipate a better market penetration. Workstations: whether they be merely desks (such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.Des. 235,721 issued on July 8, 1975 to Douglas C. Ball for Desk orSimilar Article or such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 240,184 issued onJune 8, 1976 to Richard L. Neuschaefer for Desk) or desks and run-offs(such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,298 issued on Nov. 18, 1975 forConvertible Desk and Secretarial Unit and U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,207 issuedon Feb. 26, 1963 to C. U. Deaton for Bi-Level Desk) or Stacked units(such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 233,970 issued on Dec. 24, 1974 toRonald R. Hodges for Storage Unit and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 239,009 issuedon July 9, 1974 to Fred A. Schmitt for Combined Desk and Storage Unit)are very bulky. Stocking a large variety of configurations thus presentsa great problem. Either the dealer must have considerable and costlywarehousing space or he may have to forgo a possible sale.

One approach to the storage problem has been to provide office furnitureconstructed from modular components. However, modular constructions suchas that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,622 issued on Dec. 31, 1974 toRobert G. Mohr et al for End Panel Support System; and that shown inU.S. Pat. No. 3,663,079 issued on May 16, 1972 to Oswaldo Borsani forModular Elements For Pieces of Furniture and Pieces of FurnitureObtained Thereby are so complex in construction that, at best, they onlyprovide an advantage to the manufacturer and not the dealer who sells tothe end user.

A further approach has been to provide office furniture which isknock-down (k-d). That is the unit is marketed in an unassembledcondition with final assembly by either the dealer or the end user. Theknock-down unit is more compact in storage allowing for storage of morethan one unit in the space that a conventional and fully assembled unitwould occupy. However, knock-down units such as that shown in U.S. Pat.No. 3,971,608 issued on July 27, 1976 to Charles C. Gans for Knock-DownDrawer Unit is not modular; and because it makes no provision forrun-offs, returns, or stackable units does not provide the number ofconfigurations required by todays office furniture market. The k-dconstruction shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,902 issued on Oct. 1, 1974 toGiorgio Tenani for Easily Assemblable Furniture Such as a Desk only showa desk unit and thus also does not provide the degree of configurationsrequired by todays marketplace. Such constructions, furthermore, do notprovide the extent of modularity from which a large number of workstation configurations may be provided from a relatively small number ofbasic components. The type of units shown in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 235,719issued to Douglas C. Ball on July 8, 1975 for Desk or Similar Article;and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 240,785 issued to Fuller Robinson on Aug. 3, 1976for Desk while attempting to provide some degree of modularity do notprovide sufficient modularity for a number of work stationconfigurations and do not provide same in a knock-down type ofconstruction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide new and improvedwork stations.

It is another object of this invention to provide new and improvedmodular components from which a work station can be constructed.

It is still another object of this invention to provide new and improvedmodular components from which a plurality of different work stationconfigurations can be constructed.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide new and improvedmodular components for assembling a comparatively large number ofdifferent work station configurations from a relatively few differentconfigurations of modular components.

It is yet still another object of this invention to provide new andimproved modular components for assembling a basic work station in theform of a desk and wherein additional and similar and/or identicalcomponents can be added to the basic desk work station to provide otherconfigurations of work stations in the form of desk and run-offs ordesks, run-offs and returns.

It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide new andimproved modular components for assembling into various work stationunits of different configurations, and also from which top unitsstackable upon said work station units can be formed to assemble stillother work station configurations.

It is yet still another object of this invention to provide new andimproved modular components for work stations and which are fabricatedto be distributed in knock-down condition and assembled in the fieldwith relative ease.

It is yet still a further object of this invention to provide new andimproved modular components for assembly into a basic work station unitand to assemble to said work station unit drawers and cabinetsaccessable from the rear side of said unit as well as from the frontside of said unit. This invention involves work stations; andcontemplates assembling a plurality of work station configurations froma relatively small number of basic modular components fabricated forshipment in knock-down condition and assembly in the field with relativeease. It further contemplates forming the vertical support for the basicdesk unit from a pair of identical side panels assembled in spacedrelationship and interconnected directly to a cross panel; with the deskwork surface disposed between said side panels and atop said cross paneland connected directly thereto. From this basic unit one can assembleother work station unit configurations by adding additional andidentical side panels of either full or half width, and additional worksurfaces. Drawers, and open, shelved or door or drawer cabinets can thenbe disposed below the work surface and between the side panels toprovide storage space for the work station.

Other objects, features, and advantage of the invention in its detailsof construction and arrangement of parts will be seen from the above,from the following description of the preferred embodiments whenconsidered with the drawings and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a basic work station in the formof a desk unit incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view, taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing details of a connecting assemblyfor securing the panel members together;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing further details of theconnecting assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a work station with a desk unitand run-off;

FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view showing details of theinterconnection of the run-off work surface of FIG. 5 to its verticalsupport panel and the basic desk unit;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged sectional showing of a hidden type connectorassembly utilized to connect two panel members in side to siderelationship;

FIG. 6B is a perspective showing of the hidden type connector assemblyof FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a work station with a desk unit,run-off and return;

FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view showing details of theinterconnection of the run-off work surface of FIG. 7 to the returnvertical support panel and work surface;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a work station with a desk unit,run-off, and return and with drawers and a drawer cabinet assembled tothe desk unit for access from the rear of the desk;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the work station of FIG. 9showing a cabinet assembled to the return unit, and a pair of side byside cabinets assembled to the desk unit for access from the front ofthe desk;

FIG. 11 is an elevational schematic showing back to back cabinetsassembled to the desk unit;

FIG. 12 is an elevational schematic showing of a work station unit witha pair of open cabinets assembled thereto and sized to provide a spacedrelationship between the cabinets;

FIG. 13 is an elevational schematic showing of a work station unitshowing a pair of open cabinets assembled thereto and sized to fill thespace between the side panels;

FIG. 14 is an elevational schematic showing of a work station unit witha pair of open but shelved cabinets of modified configuration assembledthereto by the use of brackets which suspend the cabinets from the crosspanel thereof;

FIG. 15 is a partial front elevational view of one cabinet from FIG. 14showing details in the assembly thereof;

FIG. 16 is a partial side elevational view of the cabinet of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an elevational schematic showing of a work station unit witha pair of drawer cabinets assembled thereto;

FIG. 18 is an elevational schematic showing of a work station unit witha modified pair of drawer cabinets assembled thereto;

FIG. 19 is a partial vertical sectional view of a drawer assembled to acabinet and showing the suspension therefore;

FIG. 20 is a partial vertical sectional view of the drawer of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a partial sectional showing of a pair of adjacent drawers;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational schematic showing of a work station witha basic desk unit upon which a top unit is stacked;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational schematic of the work station of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a front elevational schematic showing of a modified workstation with a basic desk unit upon which a top unit is stacked;

FIG. 25 is a side elevational schematic of the work station of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of a work station in the form of adesk unit with a pair of spaced pedestal cabinets and a pair of pencildrawers; and

FIG. 27 is a modified arrangement of the work station of FIG. 26.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For convenience the invention will be described as applied to workstations of various configurations but all fabricated from substantiallyundecorated, either square or round cornered, wood panels; it beingunderstood, nevertheless, that without departing from the scope of theinvention that the basic unit need not be the desk unit; that the panelsmay be of other material and that they may be decorated and of othersuitable configuration.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is generally shown at 40 a work stationin the form of a basic desk unit assembled from a pair of identical sidepanels 42 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and 44 (FIG. 1) disposed in vertical andspaced alignment and directly secured to a cross panel 46 as will behereinafter described. A work surface or desk top 48 is disposed betweenside panels 42, 44 and on top of cross panel 46. Side panels 42, 44 mayhave their corners 50 rounded for aesthetic appearances and may beprovided with levelers 52 (FIG. 2) if desired.

Side panels 42, 44 are formed from suitable wood, or other material, andare provided at appropriate locations with holes 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4)drilled partially down from one surface thereof. Into these holes anapertured attachment plug is inserted. Each plug 62 has saw tooth likebarbs 64 formed on the outside surface thereof; with the outer diameterof the barbs slightly larger then the internal diameter of the holes 60.As such when a plug 62 is inserted into hole 60 with the use of a littleforce barbs 64 will lodge into the wood surrounding hole 60 and plug 62will be firmly in place.

Cross panel 46 and work surface 48 are, in turn, provided with drilledapertures 70 sized to accept the threaded shank of a bolt 72 and withaccess openings 74 suitably sized and drilled into the panels so as tocommunicate with apertures 70.

Holes 60, apertures 70 and access openings 74 are predrilled at themanufacturing plant so as to accommodate the intended end use of thepanels and work surfaces; and so as to minimize the number of differentpanels needed to be stocked. Plugs 62 and bolts 72 are provided with thepanels and work surfaces in knock-down condition. The user or dealer maythen assemble the work station in the field by inserting plugs 62 inappropriate holes 60 and bolting the parts together directly to eachother with bolts 72. As such there is no need for support frames orother members which only require additional expense to fabricate, andstore and overly complicate the assembly of the components into a workstation.

In FIG. 5, there is shown a work station 80 with a basic desk unit 82and a run-off 83. Desk unit 82 is assembled from a pair of side panels84, 86, a cross panel 88 and a work surface 90 all assembled asdescribed for work station 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Panels 84, 86 are hereshown with square corners 92.

An additional side panel 94 is disposed in line with side panel 84 and ahalf width side panel 96 is attached at right angles at the end of sidepanel 94. Side panels 94 and 96 (FIGS. 5 and 6) serve as verticalsupports for a run-off work surface 100 which is secured at one of itsends to panel 96, along its back edge to side panels 94 and 84 and atits other end to a short panel 102 which is in turn secured to the undersurface of work surface 90.

Attachment of side panels 84 and 94, in the side to side relationshipshown; and of panel 96 at right-angles with panel 94 is accomplished bya hidden type connector assembly 104 (FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B). A hiddenconnector assembly is utilized because to use threaded members such asbolts 72 and plugs 62 (FIGS. 3 and 4) requires forming unsightlyopenings 74 in places where a smooth unblemished surface is required.

Each connector assembly 104 includes a pair of plugs 106 and a connector107. Plugs 106 are each formed of suitable plastic; and with a pluralityof ribs 108, of saw tooth configuration. A central bore 109 extendsthrough each plug 106; and a rib 110 (FIG. 6A) extends inwardly at aboutthe midpoint of bore 109. A recess 111 is formed in the face of eachplug 106. Connector 107 is also formed from suitable plastic andincludes a pair of opposed stub shafts 112 each disposed to one side ofa central raised rib 113; and each including a groove 114 formed aboutmid-way on each shaft 112.

In utilizing connector assembly 104 one merely needs to drill alignedholes 116 in side panels 84 and 94; and 94 and 96. Each hole 116 shouldbe sized to accept a plug 106 but so that once inserted ribs 108 thereofgrab against the side walls of holes 116 to firmly anchor plugs 106 inplace. One shaft 112 of connector 107 is then inserted in bore 109 ofplug 106 until its groove 114 snaps over rib 110 within bore 109. Atthis point one side of central raised rib 113 of connector 107 is seatedin recess 111 of plug 106. The other shaft 112 is then aligned with theother plug 106 and the two panel members are moved into a buttingrelationship; at which time rib 110 of the other plug 106 will snap intogroove 114 of shaft 112.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a work station 120 with a basic desk unit 122,a run-off 124, and a return 126 all interconnected to form work station120. Desk unit 122 is assembled from a pair of side panels 130, 132, across panel 134 and a work surface 136 all assembled together asdescribed for work station 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Panels 130, 132 are hereshown with round corners 138 and with an edging detail 140.

An additional side panel 150, disposed in line with panel 130, serves asa back wall and as part of the vertical support for a run-off worksurface 152. A short panel 154 connects one side of run-off work surface152 to work surface 136 of desk unit 122 and a short panel 158 (FIG. 8)connects the other end of run-off work surface 152 to the underside of areturn work surface 160 of return 126. Short panels 154, 158 run-offwork surface 152, desk work surface 136, return work surface 160 andside panels 130 and 150 are all interconnected by either bolts andplugs, such as bolts 72 and plugs 62 (of FIGS. 3 and 4) or by hiddentype connectors such as 104 (of FIGS. 6A and 6B) as described for theprevious embodiments. In like manner a pair of full width side panels166, 168 to form the vertical supports for return work surfaces 160 ofreturn 126.

The work station 180 of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 includes: a desk unit 182assembled from a pair of side panels 184 and 186, a cross panel 188 anda work surface 190; a run-off 192 assembled from a side panel 194, awork surface 196, and a pair of short panels 198 (only one shown); and areturn 200 assembled from a pair of side panels 202, 204 which functionas end panels and a pair of side panels 206, 208 which form a back wall,all so as to form the vertical support for a return work surface 210.Side panels (184, 186, 194, 202, 204, 206, and 208), work surfaces (190,196 and 210) and cross panel are all fabricated and shipped inknock-down condition and assembled and secured together as described forthe hereinabove embodiments.

It should be noted that return 200 utilizes full-width side panels 202,204 as end panels rather than half-width panels as shown for thatpurpose in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8. This provides for more spacewithin work station 180 and for a longer work surface 196 for therun-off.

A pair of pencil drawers 230, 232 are assembled to desk unit 182 betweenshort panel 198 and a cabinet unit 234 in the form of a pedestal.Drawers 230 and 232 and cabinet 234 are assembled to the rear of deskunit 182 as will be hereinafter described. By the rear of desk unit 182is meant that side of desk unit 182 where the user normally positionsthemselves while doing their work. An additional cabinet unit 236 (FIG.10) is assembled to return 200; while a pair of cabinet units 238, 240are assembled to the front of desk unit 182 (by the front is meant theside of the desk opposite to the one where the user normally positionsthemselves when doing their work). Cabinets 236, 238, and 240 areassembled and secured to their respective units as will be hereinafterdescribed.

In FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18, there are shown work station units 250,252, 254, 256 and 258 respectively; all basically formed from a pair ofside panels 260 and 262, a cross panel 264, and a top surface or panel266 (except for work station unit 254 of FIG. 14); and all assembled andinterconnected as hereinabove described. Work stations 250, 252, 254,256 and 258 may function as desk units, run-off units, return units,credenza type stand alone units or top units which are stacked upon adesk unit or themselves to form a high work station as will behereinafter described.

A pair of open cabinets 280, 282 are assembled to work station unit 250beneath top surface 266 thereof, adjacent side panels 260, 262respectively, but in spaced relationship with each other. Work stationunit 252 includes a pair of open cabinets 284, 286 which completely fillthe space between side panels 260, 262; while in work station 254cabinet units 288, 290 not only fill the space between side panels 260,262 but they are taller and are fitted for shelves 292, 294. A pair ofcabinets 300, 302 (FIG. 17) spaced from each and fitted for drawers areshown for work station 256; while a pair of cabinets 304, 306 alsofitted for drawers occupy the full width of work station unit 258.

Cabinets 288, 290 are suspended by brackets 350 (FIGS. 14, 15 and 16)from cross panel 264 of work station unit 254. Each cabinet 288, 290(only one shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) is assembled from a pair of spacedside walls 352, 354 (FIG. 15) a top wall 356, a bottom wall 358 and arear wall 360. Side walls 352, 354, bottom wall 358 and rear wall 360are secured to each other by bolts 72 and plugs 62 as hereinbeforedescribed and so that they may be shipped knock-down and assembled onsite. Rear wall 360 is fitted into grooves 362 (FIG. 16) formed in topwall 356, bottom wall 358, and side walls 354, 352. Brackets 350 areattached by means of bolts 364 and nuts 366 which extend throughappropriately formed apertures in top wall 356 and in an attaching leg370 formed on each bracket 350. A hook portion 372 is formed on eachbracket 350 and sized so as to fit over the upper edge of cross panel264.

Side walls 352, 354 of cabinets 288, 290 are each provided, on theirsurface facing into the cabinet, with aligned and spaced holes 380 sizedto receive mounting lugs 384 for supporting shelves 292, 294 inconventional manner and so as to be adjustable at various levels withincabinets 288, 290.

Pencil drawers 230, 232 (FIG. 9) and the drawers within cabinets 300,302 (FIG. 17) and 304, 306 (FIG. 18) are secured within their respectivecabinets in a conventional manner as shown in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21. Asingle pencil drawer 400 is depicted in FIGS. 19 and 20 mounted betweenside walls 402, 404 and below top wall 406 of a cabinet 408 of the typeand construction previously described. In FIG. 21 a pair of adjacentpencil drawers 410, 412 (similar to pencil drawers 230, 232 of FIG. 9)are shown mounted directly beneath a work surface 414. It should beunderstood that the drawer construction and mounting is the same for alldrawer units; the size and configuration being subject to changedepending upon the drawer use. Each drawer 400, 410, 412 includes a pairof side walls 420, 422, a rear wall 424 and a front wall 426 (FIG. 20)to which a drawer front 428 is secured. A bottom panel 430 is lodged ingrooves formed in the inner surfaces of side walls 420, 422, rear wall424 and front wall 426. A drawer slide assembly 440 is appropriatelyconnected to the outside wall of each side wall 420, 422 respectivelyand in the configuration of FIGS. 19 and 20 to the inner side of sidewalls 402, 404 of cabinet 408. For adjacent drawers, such as 410 and 412of FIG. 21, a short center rib 444 is secured to the underside of worksurface 414 and the adjacent slide assembly 440 is secured thereto.

In FIGS. 22 and 23 a pair of work station units 500, 502 are shownstacked one upon the other to form a high work station 504. Units 500and 502 are similar in construction to units 250, 258 with unit 500assembled with a pair of drawer cabinets 510, 512 spaced to each side ofa pair of pencil drawers 514, 516 to form unit 500 as a knee hole typedesk unit. Unit 502 includes a pair of door cabinets 520, 522 assembledtogether and secured in place as hereinbefore described. The schematicof FIG. 23 shows the relationship of cabinets 510 and 520.

Cabinets 520, 522 of FIGS. 22 and 23 are dropped down from the upperextremity of unit 502. On the other hand, they can be raised up as shownfor cabinets 530, 532 of unit 540 of FIGS. 24 and 25 if more headroom isdesired as shown for work station 544. In work station 544 each sidepanel 542 runs the full height of the unit. If desired a single backpanel 546 can be utilized or the space merely left open.

The basic desk unit may be formed with its drawer cabinets 600 (FIG. 26)and 602 and with its pencil drawers 604, 606 disposed between sidepanels 610, 612 and beneath a work surface 614 centered front to backbetween side panels 610, 612 as shown for desk unit 620. In thealternative a work surface 630 (FIG. 27) or deeper extent can be used toprovide a conference type desk 640.

From the above description it will thus be seen that there has beenprovided a novel and improved modular work station construction where aminimum number of modular components provide a relatively large numberof work station configurations; and wherein such modular components arefabricated for knock-down shipment and relatively simple on siteassembly.

It is understood that although I have shown the preferred form of myinvention that various modifications may be made in the details thereofwithout departing from the spirit as comprehended from the followingclaims.

I claim:
 1. A working station comprising:a. a work surface having a pairof opposed side edges and front edges; b. a plurality of modular panels;c. securing means for attaching said work surface and said modularpanels;wherein a first mode comprising a first pair of said modularpanels are vertically disposed and attached to each of said side edgesby said securing means, so as to support said work surface on theground, and having a cross panel attached by said securing means to andvertically disposed between said first pair of modular panels, wherein asecond mode, said work surface front edge, has attached a pair ofmodular panels which are vertically disposed, abutting each other andstanding on the ground for support of said work surface; and wherein d.said work surface and said modular panels being fabricated for shipmentin knock down condition and for on site assembly by said securing means,whereby said work surface and said modular panels may be assembled insaid first mode and said second mode to provide different assemblieswith said modular panels; and wherein e. at least one storage area issecured beneath said work surface, adjacent at least one of said sidepanels and accessible from one side of said cross panel; said onestorage area being a desk pedestal type cabinet; and wherein f. at leastone storage area is secured beneath said work surface, adjacent at leastone of said panels and accessible from the other side of said crosspanel; said one other storage area being a cabinet; and wherein saidwork station includes g. an additional work surface; h. a pair ofadditional side panels; and i. additional securing means for attachingsaid additional side panels to each other and one of said side panels toform a vertical support for said additional work surface, and forattaching said additional work surface thereto so as to form a run-offsaid work surface; and wherein said work station includes j. a furtherwork surface; k. further side panels; and l. further securing means forattaching said further side panels to each other and to one of saidadditional side panels to form a vertical support for said further worksurface, and for attaching said further work surface thereto so as toform a return for said additional work surface.
 2. The work station ofclaim 1, wherein each panel of said plurality of modular panels isprovided with a series of holes proximate one edge for cooperating withsaid securing means when said panel is attached to said work surface forsaid first mode, said panel being provided with another series of holesat opposed edges transversely disposed to said first holes and beingfurther provided with a means for securing said panels to abut eachother for said second mode.
 3. The work station of claim 1, including atop unit formed from a pair of top unit side panels secured at one endof said side panels to a top cross panel and sized to sit atop said sidepanels to form therewith a high work station.
 4. The work station ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said additional side panels isidentical in size and configuration with said side panels and, whereinat least one other additional side panel is smaller in one directionthan the comparable dimension of said side panels.
 5. The work stationof claim 4, wherein said smaller dimension is one-half of the comparabledimension.